Grinding wheel with predeterminately oriented fixed replaceable abrasive segments



May 9, 1967 c, WLLER 3,318,053

H. GRINDING WHEEL WITH PREDETERMINATELY ORIENTED FIXED REPLACEABLE ABRASIVE SEGMENTS Filed Jan. 7, 1965 7 a M/VENTOR HAROLD C. M/LLE"? BYWM United titates Patent @ifine Patented May 9, 1967 GRINDING WHEEL WITH PREDETERMINATELY ORIENTED FIXED REPLACEABLE ABRASIVE SEGMENTS Harold C. Miller, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Super-Cut,

Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 424,073 4 Claims. (Cl. 51209) The present invention relates generally to rotary grinding wheels of the type that is commonly employed for grinding materials such as glass, carbides, ferrites and the like. More particularly the invention relates to that type of grinding wheel which embodies at least one annular series of appropriately shaped abrasive segments which are positioned in coplanar relationship on the planar operative working face of a circular grinding wheel body according to a predetermined geometrical plan or pattern. A grinding wheel in accordance with the present invention is capable of being installed for operative use in con necti-on with a Wide variety of commercial grinding machines such as Blanchard or Besley grinders, a suitable adapter being provided when necessary to fit it to the drive shaft of the associated grinding machine.

In connection with a grinding wheel of the type or character briefly outlined above, there are many variables which must be considered in designing a Wheel for Work of a particular character. Principal among these variables are the number of abrasive segments, the disposition or placement of the segments collectively on the annular operative working face of the wheel body, the shape and size of the individual segments, the angular relationship of the segments, i.e., their direction of elongation, the speed of rotation of the grinding wheel, and the rate of advancement of the wheel toward the work. In addition, there are other lesser variables too numerous to mention. Of these variables, the angular relationship or direction of elongation of the segments is of paramount importance.

In constructing a grinding wheel which will be give optimum performance on work of a given character, there are no usable formulae involving all of the various factors. Empirical methods must be relied upon and much experimentation is frequently involved before a given grinding wheel is accepted as being satisfactory. However, once a particular grinding wheel has been accepted for use in connection with work of a particular character, all of the data concerning the various factors which contribute toward the success of the wheel are carefully noted and recorded for the construction of an identical grinding wheel, either to replace the original wheel when it has become worn or to approximate the same conditions in the future construction of a new Wheel for a similar class of work.

The present invention is specifically concerned with a grinding wheel comprising a wheel body and, in addition, a large number of segment-carrying adapters which are fixedly but removably mounted on the wheel body in such a manner that a given segment design or pattern obtains when all of the adapters are in their proper operative position. Cooperating interlocking means are provided on the wheel body and the adapters whereby the segments not only assume the desired placement on the wheel body but also assume the desired orientation. Stated otherwise, specific areas are provided for fixedly securing the segment-carrying adapters in position on the wheel body and within these areas interlocking means are provided whereby the adapters are securely held in their proper plan or pattern of orientation to the exclusion of any other orientation. By such an arrangement, it is possible to replace a worn or broken segment in the field by the simple expedient of installing a new segment-carrying adapter. Heretofore, worn, broken or lost segments have been disregarded until the grinding wheel as a Whole has been worn to completion.

The provision of a grinding wheel of the aforementioned character constitutes the principal object of the invention. It is, however, a further object to provide between the grinding Wheel body and each segmentcarrying adapter an extremely simple form of interlock which will enable a segment substitution or replacement to be made with ease and rapidity, no particular skill being required during the process.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will readily suggest themselves as the following description ensues.

In the accompanying single sheet of drawings forming a part of this specification, one illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the annular working face of a grinding wheel constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the segmentcarrying adapters; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the adapter of FIG. 3.

Referrin now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, rotary grinding Wheel embodying the principles of the present invention is shown fragmentarily and designated in its entirety by the reference numeral ill). The wheel comprises a wheel body 12 which is in the form of an annular steel or other metallic ring and has a flat annular working face 14, a cylindrical outside face 15, a cylindrical inside face 18, and an annular top face 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer side of the body is relieved as at 22 to provide a reduced shank 24 by means of which the grinding wheel as a whole may be applied to a conventional grinding machine (not shown), as for example, a Blanchard machine, or to a suitable adapter by means of which the wheel may be converted for use with different grinding machines.

The Working face 14 in most instances will face downwardly and the Wheel will be advanced or fed with respect to the work either by continuous increments of motion or by intermittent increments of motion. The wheel is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being inverted for convenience of disclosure, but it will be understood that what are referred to herein as the upper and lower faces of the wheel may, in reality, be reversed when the wheel is put to normal use.

The wheel body 12 is provided with a plurality of vertical bores 30 which communicate with countersink sockets 32 in the face 20. Such bores and sockets are designed for respective reception therein of the shanks and the head portions 34 of clamping bolts 36. The function of the bolts will be set forth presently. The bores 30 are shown are being arranged in two concentric circular rows extending around the annular working face 14 with each row having an equal number of bores so that the spacing between adjacent bores in the outer row is slightly greater than is the spacing between adjacent bores in the inner .46, and a flat circular working face 48.

row. The bores of the two rows are shown as being staggered. It will be understood, however, that other bore placements or positions are contemplated and that a greater or lesser number of rows of bores is also contemplated. In addition, it is also contemplated that the number of bores in each row may be varied at will. In certain instances, it may be found expedient to form the bores 30 on the wheel body in various patterns not involving concentric rows of bores. Irrespective, however, of the particular arrangement of the bores 30 in the wheel body 12, the essential features of the invention are always preserved.

The bores 30 establish on the working face 14 of the wheel body 12 attachment regions for a plurality of segment-carrying adapters 40. The latter are in the form of cylindrical members which are preferably formed of mild steel. Each adapter carries an abrasive segment 42 and has an outer cylindrical side 44, a flat circular end face The working faces 48 of the adapters are formed with relatively shallow diametrically disposed grooves 50 to receive portions of the abrasive segments 42. The end faces 46 fit flatly against the working face 14 of the wheel body as shown in FIG. 2. The central portions "of the adapters have formed therein relatively deep threaded sockets 52 which receive the threaded shank portions '4 of the previously mentioned bolts 36. Each bolt is inserted through the bore from the underneath side of the wheel body 12 and, when tightened, serves to draw the end face 46 of the associated adapter hard against the working face 14 of the wheel body.

While the abrasive segments 42 may assume various shapes, in the form illustrated herein they are of elongated, generally rectangular or block-like design and have planar abrading surfaces 56. The ends of the segments may be curved or rounded as shown at 58 (see FIG. 4) in conformity with the curvature of the outer cylindrical sides 44 of the adapters 44 Each abrasive segment 42 is preferably in the form of a sintered metal matrix and a quantity of crushed or fragmented diamonds distributed substantially uniformly throughout the matrix.

In order fixedly to secure or lock the various adapters 40 in predetermined positions so that the axes of the abrasive segments 42 will bear a predetermined radial, chordal or secantial relationship to the circular outline of the working face 14 of the wheel body 12, an interlocking pin-and-hole connection is provided between each adapter 40 and the wheel body. Such pin-and-hole connection is established by the provision of a small diameter socket 60 in the working face 14 of the wheel body 12, and a cooperating pin 62 on the end face as of the adapter 40, the pin preferably being disposed in the peripheral regions of said end face.

In order to secure the desired orientation of the abrasive segments 42 on the working face of the wheel body 12, the circumferential positions of the sockets 60 about the axes of the bores 3%) are correlated with the circumferential positions of the pins 62 about the longitudinal axes of the adapters 40, taking into account the axial direction of the segments 42. If desired, the positions of the pins 62 on all of the adapters 40 may be identical and the circumferential positions of the sockets an with respect to any given fixed direction varied to attain the desired orientation of the segments. Alternatively, the positions of the sockets 60 may be identical with respect to the adjacent bores 30 and any given fixed direction, and the circumferential positions of the pins 62 on the adapters 40 may be varied accordingly to attain the desired orientation of the segments. In fact, any combination of pin and socket positions which Will give the desired segment orientation may be resorted to. For practical reasons, it is desirable to construct all of the segments and the place ment of the pins thereon and to drill the various sockets 60 in the working face 14 of the wheel body 12 accordingly.

In the operation of the grinding wheel 10, when a particular abrasive segment 42 has lost its usefulness due to wear, chipping, fracture or the like and requires replacement, the particular adapter 40 that is associated therewith may be removed and a new adapter carrying a fresh segment may be substituted therefor. To effect the substitution, it is merely necessary to remove the clamping bolt 36, withdraw the adapter from its seated position on the working face 14, and finally position the substitute adapter on the working face 14 so that its pin 62 registers with the socket 60 while the bore 30 and the socket 52 register with each other. Thereafter, the clamping bolt 36 may be applied to the substitute adapter and the installation is complete. No thought need be given to the orientation of the abrasive segment 42 of the substitute adapter inasmuch as the location of the socket 60 on the working face 14 and the location of the pin 62 on the adapter will determine the correct orientation of said abrasive segment.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in the specification as various changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, only insofar as the invention has particularly been pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limited.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A rotary grinding wheel comprising a wheel body adapted in connection with use of the wheel to be driven in one direction about its axis and having on one side thereof an annular planar working face in concentric relation with said axis, a plurality of spaced apart mounting adapters positioned adjacent to said working face of the wheel body and provided with substantially flat, coplanar, outer working faces, elongated, block-like, abrasive segments extending transversely across, and fixedly connected to, the outer working faces of the mounting adapters, formed of abrasive particles distributed substantially uniformly throughout hard matrices, having substantially flat and coplanar, outer grinding surfaces, and oriented with respect to one another to provide a predetermined grinding pattern, means effective releasably to clamp each adapter against said working face of the wheel body, and interengaging means fixedly disposed on each adapter and the adjacent portion of the wheel body and effective in cooperation with the associated clamping means to prevent angular turning movement of the adapter.

2. A rotary grinding wheel as set forth in claim 1 and wherein said interengaging means for preventing angular turning movement of each adapter comprises a locating socket in the working face of the wheel body and a cooperating locating pin on said adapter and projecting into said locating socket.

3. A rotary grinding wheel comprising a wheel body adapted in connection with use of the wheel to be driven in one direction about its axis and having on one side thereof an annular planar working face in concentric relation with said axis, an annular series of spaced apart mounting adapters positioned adjacent to said working face of the wheel body and having circular outer working faces and circular inner end faces in coextensive contact with the working face of the wheel body, elongated blocklike abrasive segments extending diametrically across and fixedly connected to the outer working faces of the mounting adapters, formed of abrasive particles distributed substantially uniformly throughout hard matrices, having susbtantially fiat coplanar outer grinding surfaces and oriented with respect to one another to provide a predetermined grinding pattern, said cyindrical adapters being formed with axial threaded sockets in the inner end faces thereof, clamping bolts extending through said wheel body and threadedly received in said sockets for clamping said inner end faces of the adapters hard against the working face of the Wheel body, and interengaging means on the face of the Wheel body and in the peripheral regions of peripheral regions of the inner end faces of the adapters Inner and faces of the adaptersand on the working face of the Wheel body and efiective References Cited by the Examiner in cooperation with the clamping bolts to prevent turning UNITED STATES PATENTS movement of the adapters. 5

U I 2,442,129 5/1948 Hollstrom 51--209 4. A rotary gnndin Wheel as set forth In claim 3 and 3,121,982 2/1964 Miner 51 209 wherein said interengaging means for preventing angular turning movement of the adapters comprises pin and ROBERT ORDON, Przmary Exammer. socket connections between the adapters and the Working 10 D. G. KELLY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ROTARY GRINDING WHEEL COMPRISING A WHEEL BODY ADAPTED IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE WHEEL TO BE DRIVEN IN ONE DIRECTION ABOUT ITS AXIS AND HAVING ON ONE SIDE THEREOF AN ANNULAR PLANAR WORKING FACE IN CONCENTRIC RELATION WITH SAID AXIS, A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART MOUNTING ADAPTERS POSITIONED ADJACENT TO SAID WORKING FACE OF THE WHEEL BODY AND PROVIDED WITH SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, COPLANAR, OUTER WORKING FACES, ELONGATED, BLOCK-LIKE, ABRASIVE SEGMENTS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS, AND FIXEDLY CONNECTED TO, THE OUTER WORKING FACES OF THE MOUNTING ADAPTERS, FORMED OF ABRASIVE PARTICLES DISTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY THROUGHOUT HARD MATRICES, HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT AND COPLANAR, OUTER GRINDING SURFACES, AND ORIENTED WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER TO PROVIDE A PREDETERMINED GRINDING PATTERN, MEANS EFFECTIVE RELEASABLY TO CLAMP EACH ADAPTER AGAINST SAID WORKING FACE OF THE WHEEL BODY, AND INTERENGAGING MEANS FIXEDLY DISPOSED ON EACH ADAPTER AND THE ADJACENT PORTION OF THE WHEEL BODY AND EFFECTIVE IN COOPERATION WITH THE ASSOCIATED CLAMPING MEANS TO PREVENT ANGULAR TURNING MOVEMENT OF THE ADAPTER. 